THERE will not have been many managers who have turned down an offer of help from Sir Alex Ferguson – but Crystal Palace boss Dougie Freedman is one.

Freedman, whose side take on Manchester United in the Carling Cup tonight, has revealed Ferguson offered his assistance when he first took over at Selhurst Park.

But Freedman is his own man and has done perfectly well without his fellow Scot’s help – and will also turn down any offer of post-match wine tonight. Freedman said: “I don’t drink red wine, I’ll look forward to a conversation with him after. I will let Sir Alex do the drinking.

“I met him one day when I first took the Palace job and we had a chat. I spoke to him briefly and his words were exactly the same, ‘If I can help in any way…’ – and that is fantastic.

“I have not taken him up on that, I have not had the need to call him, as we are doing OK.

“And obviously I won’t be buying anyone from Manchester United and he has not bought anyone from me yet.” Palace go to Old Trafford having failed to score in 457 minutes of football since they beat Southampton to reach the quarter-finals.

I don’t drink red wine, I’ll look forward to a conversation with him after. I will let Sir Alex do the drinking

Crystal Palace boss Dougie Freedman

They also face Derby in the Championship just 48 hours after the United match and Freedman said: “I will be picking a team that can hold on as long as possible at United, then pick one that can hopefully beat Derby.”

Palace left-back Dean Moxey hopes he can stay unbeaten at Old Trafford, after the boyhood United fan was part of the Exeter side who drew 0-0 there in a third-round FA Cup tie in 2005, with Exeter then a Conference club.